Linanthus pungens (Granite Prickly Phlox)

Linanthus spp.

mountain phlox

Polemoniaceae

Western North America and temperate South America

Attracts Pollinators Attracts Butterflies Drought Tolerant Container Friendly

Native to North America

SunFull Sun

WaterLow · drought-tolerant

Overview

Linanthus spp. is a genus of about 35 to 40 annual and perennial wildflowers in the phlox family, Polemoniaceae, centered in western North America, especially California, with species reaching into Chile. Most are slender, low plants 2-16 inches (5-40 cm) tall, with thread-like leaves that are usually palmately divided into narrow segments, giving a whorled appearance along the stems. Funnel- or salver-shaped flowers, 0.3-1.5 inches (8-38 mm) across, open in white, pink, lavender, yellow, or cream, often with a contrasting throat. Some species, such as L. dichotomus, open their flowers in late afternoon and evening. The genus grows in open, sunny sites on dry slopes, grasslands, chaparral, and desert margins, where annual species complete their life cycle quickly after winter and spring rains. Plants are adapted to seasonal drought and poor, gritty soils, and decline in rich, wet, or shaded conditions. Annual species set abundant seed and reappear from the seedbank, with flowering tied closely to rainfall in any given year.

Native Range

Linanthus spp. species are native to western North America, with the greatest diversity in California and adjacent western states, extending into the deserts of the Southwest and northern Mexico, and with a few species in temperate South America. They grow on dry slopes, grasslands, chaparral, and open desert.

Suggested Uses

Grown in wildflower meadows, rock gardens, gravel gardens, and seasonal container displays, and used in native-plant and pollinator plantings in dry-summer climates. Annual species suit naturalistic sowings on open, sunny ground.

How to Identify

Identify Linanthus spp. by slender stems bearing thread-like leaves that are palmately split into narrow segments, appearing as whorls along the stem. Small funnel- or salver-shaped flowers open in white, pink, lavender, yellow, or cream, often with a darker throat. Some species open in the evening, and most are low annuals of open sunny ground.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height2" - 1'4"

Width/Spread2" - 8"

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~6 weeks

Spring Summer

Flowering occurs from spring into early summer, generally March to June, with timing and abundance depending heavily on winter and spring rainfall. Annual species bloom quickly after germination and may flower for only a few weeks in dry years. Evening-flowering species open in late afternoon.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

White, pink, lavender, yellow, or cream

Foliage Description

Green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun

Requires 6-12 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 7.5(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

sand rocky loam

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Linanthus spp. grows in full sun in light, sharply drained, low-fertility soils such as sand, gravel, and decomposed granite. Annual species are grown from seed sown in autumn or early spring where they are to flower, as they resent transplanting. Moderate water during germination and early growth supports flowering, after which plants tolerate drying soils. Rich, wet, or shaded conditions reduce flowering and cause weak, leggy growth. Most species need a dry summer rest. Self-sown seed often carries plants from year to year in suitable sites.

Pruning

Annual species need no pruning; plants are left to set and shed seed for the following season. Spent plants can be cleared once seed has dropped. Perennial species can be trimmed lightly after flowering to tidy the growth.